Vets Testing Horse For Animal Abuse

December 13, 1985

A horse seized by the Osceola County Humane Society because it reportedly had a crippling leg disease will be sent to the University of Florida for testing this week to determine if its owners neglected the animal.

The Osceola County Humane Society has charged in civil court that Janice and Harold Keller, St. Cloud, neglected the 7-year-old mare. The case is being heard by Judge Ronald LeGendre.

The Kellers' attorney, Craig Wakefield, said the horse was examined twice by a humane society inspector before it was seized Nov. 15.

Wakefield said the society's veterinarian, D.K. Rebman, said the horse had a mild form of laminitis -- a crippling disease sometimes caused by overeating.

The Kellers' veterinarian, David Andrix, has refused to testify, Wakefield said, but he said Rebman testified that the horse did not appear underfed or abused. Society attorney Mike Barber refused to comment.